Jose Mourinho's winning mentality a boon for Manchester United: Wayne Rooney

Wayne Rooney

London: Wayne Rooney says Jose Mourinho's winning mentality has sharpened the mind of Manchester United players.

Life since Sir Alex Ferguson brought the curtain down on his remarkable reign has been galling for a club synonymous with success.

Man United manager Mourinho

Mourinho is now entrusted with restoring the club to the top of the English game and United captain Rooney has praised the Portuguese's influence at Old Trafford. "He's obviously a top manager - I think his record at all the clubs he's been at shows that," the club's all-time top scorer said.

"I think he knows what he wants from the players, and the players know what the manager wants from them. He's strong in that sense but as long as you're doing what he wants, then I'm sure you'll be fine. I think you can see he has got a winning mentality - not that we didn't have that, but he's certainly reminded us of that."

There is still work to do, though, highlighted by the fact United sit sixth in the Premier League.